Displaying items by tag: Protest

Russia: Local residents have protested against a cement plant being built at Zueovo near Novgorod. Over 800 residents demonstrated against the project and sent a letter to the regional governor, according to the Kolmovo newspaper. The protestors object to potential health concerns related to the plant such as poor air quality due to dust emissions.

Taiwan: Protestors have called for the closure of Asia Cement’s quarry in Hualien. The government proposed an amendment to the Mining Act in December 2017 that would require quarries in aboriginal territories to obtain the consent of aboriginal communities, according to the Taipei Times newspaper. However, the quarry has been exempted because the Bureau of Mines extended the company’s mining rights by 20 years in early 2017. Aborigines from the Taroko National Park area said that the government’s approval of the amendment was ‘illegal’ and demanded that their traditional land, which is occupied by the quarry, be returned to them. Asia Cement said it would ensure that the mine is environmentally sound, that water sources near the mine are protected and that mining safety standards meet regulations. It added that it would also work with aboriginal communities and continue talks with them and the government as necessary.

Pakistan: Local residents have protested about air pollution from the Kohat Cement plant. They demanded that the plant install air filters as soon as possible, according to the Dawn newspaper. The protestors also alleged that the company’s employment of local workers had dropped to 5% from 75% following its sale. The cement company says that it has hired a Chinese engineering firm to run a survey of its emissions. In 2016 the Environmental Protection Agency ordered Kohat Cement to stop production as its dust control unit was ‘out of order.’

India: Around 1500 villagers have protested against a cement plant that Ramco Cement plans to build in the Jaipur district of Odisha. The protestors have expressed fears that the plant will damage their crops, according to the Pioneer newspaper. A representative of the local government said that the project has already received environmental clearance.

France: Access to the Calcia cement factory in Calvados was ‘blocked’ on Wednesday 7 February 2018 by protestors from the General Confederation of Labour (CGT). They were protesting the salary policy of the company, as well as job cuts taking place across France. The move followed the collapse of annual pay talks between the HeidelbergCement subsidiary and the CGT.

Bertrand Moreau from the CGT said that the unilateral 1.3% pay increase offer from Calcia was not sufficient and that workers had witnessed ‘deteriorating working conditions’ since HeidelbergCement took over the company in 2016. He also expressed disappointment at plans to cut 22 jobs at Calcia’s Cruas plant in the Ardeche. The company employs around 1300 people across 10 sites in France.